MARTIN NOMINATED FOR MANAGERS AWARD

Gills Manager Martin Allen has been shortlisted for the October Manager of the Month Award

With three months completed the season is taking shape and with October now over, it is time to reward the month’s standout performers, both in the dugout and on the pitch.

Football League sponsors npower are proud to reveal the nominations for both the npower League 2 Manager and Player of the Month Awards for October. The winners will be announced on Friday 16th November 2012, with the final decision being made by two separate Football League judging panels.

The Manager of the Month award is decided by former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson, League Managers Association Deputy CEO Olaf Dixon and npower Sponsorship Manager Emma Collins. The Player of the Month panel sees Emma Collins joined by Wolves legend Don Goodman, BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit and The Football League’s Head of Communications, John Nagle.

The nominations for the npower League 2 Manager of the Month Award for October are:

Martin Allen (Gillingham)
Early pace-setters Gillingham continue to flourish under Martin Allen’s management, finishing October with just one defeat from their six league fixtures in October. This solid run of form saw The Gills finish the month top of the npower League 2 table and five points clear of their nearest rivals.

Chris Wilder (Oxford United)
A strong month for Oxford United saw Chris Wilder’s team collect 10 points from a possible 18 and move away from the bottom half of the table. An emphatic 5-0 home win against Accrington Stanley would have been especially pleasing for The U’s and they’ll hope to push on from a solid month.

Mark Yates (Cheltenham Town)
With just one defeat coming from the month, Cheltenham Town’s good form under Mark Yates’ stewardship was summed up with a strong 3-0 victory at home to Exeter City. With that win, The Robins found themselves finishing October in third place and in a good position to achieve promotion.

The nominations for the npower League 2 Player of the Month Award for October are:

Junior Brown (Fleetwood Town) - midfield
A left-back by trade, the England C international has been thrust into a left-sided midfield role this season, using his pace to overlap and trouble the opposition. He added vital goals in October at York City and a late equaliser at Cheltenham Town.

Tom Craddock (Oxford United) – striker
Had a month to remember and a day to savour with four well-taken goals in the 5-0 victory over Accrington Stanley and added another emphatic finish against Wycombe Wanderers. He has formed a prolific partnership up front with James Constable.

Ashley Vincent (Port Vale) – winger
A provider of many of Tom Pope’s goals with his dangerous crosses and dynamic wing play on the left flank, the 27-year-old had another impressive month in front of goal himself in October, coming inside to score in the wins over Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers.